18th-century Family Pub and Restaurant in Brancaster Staithe
At The Jolly Sailors, we’re all about serving up food that’s fresh, local, and full of flavour – and it’s all available as TAKEAWAY, EVERY DAY. Book a table online or phone in your takeaway order on 01485 210314, or pop by and we’ll get you served as soon as we can.
Our hearty, wholesome menu has something for everyone, including a great kids’ menu. Enjoy delicious old-fashioned pub classics, cracking curries, and our tasty thin-based, stone-baked pizzas – hand-spun by our chefs and cooked to perfection. Choose from an extensive range of toppings or create your own masterpiece.
If a juicy burger is calling your name, we’ve got you covered – from crispy chicken to indulgent beef and bone marrow, or a veggie-friendly homemade bhaji. Each burger comes with fries, coleslaw, and all the trimmings, with the option to add cheese or bacon for an extra treat.
For those craving Good Honest Pub Classics, our menu celebrates British comfort food with dishes crafted from local, sustainably sourced meat and seasonal produce. Think Homemade Steak & Ale Pie, Fish & Chips with beer-battered fish, and our famous roasts – made with locally sourced meat and served with the best yorkies ever. Fancy something with a bit of spice? Our Jolly Chicken Curry or Cauliflower & Chickpea Curry will hit the spot. Be sure to check out Head Chef Nick’s daily specials for something new and delicious.
Seafood lovers can dive into local fish and shellfish, including Tom’s Brancaster Mussels when in season – a true taste of the Norfolk coast. And when the smokehouse fires up, Nick works his magic with low-and-slow cooking, using an American smoker and maple wood for that authentic southern flavour. Indulge in his 14-hour smoked pulled pork with our rich, tangy house BBQ sauce, or try the classic half-pint prawns with a Texan twist. And for those with an appetite to challenge, the Smokehouse BBQ Ribs are a huge hit – meaty, smoky, and irresistibly good.
Eat in, take away, and enjoy a true taste of Norfolk’s coastal bounty.
Sustainability the Jolly Way
At The Jolly Sailors, we’re proud to be part of the race to net zero, measuring our carbon output and focusing on building a sustainable business. We work with over 30 independent food suppliers across Hertfordshire and Norfolk, ensuring our menus are shaped by the seasons and availability.
Our food ethos is rooted in British produce and local sourcing. Mussels are harvested when in season from Brancaster Bay Shellfish by Thomas Large, who grows and harvest mussels just across the road from our pub. We’re passionate about reducing food miles by buying locally wherever possible, supporting producers who share our commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.
We’ve been proud members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association for eight years, and our dedication extends beyond food. Enjoy drinks that celebrate our local landscape, like Brancaster Gin, inspired by the North Norfolk coastline, Norfolk Rums sweetened with local honey, and Norfolk Cordials made with hedgerow and UK-grown soft fruits.
At The Jolly Sailors we believe in good food, good values, and good times that care for our community and the beautiful coastline we call home.
Tom's Mussels - Fresh, Local, Delicious
When you’re this close to the coast, you’ve got to try the mussels. And not just any mussels – Thomas’s Brancaster Bay Mussels. Freshly harvested across the road by Thomas of Brancaster Bay Shellfish, these beauties are some of the finest you’ll ever taste, and we serve them up every day, right here.
Whether you're tucking in with warm crusty bread or a generous portion of frites (because sometimes only chips will do), our mussels are steamed to perfection and served in classic, no-fuss styles that let the freshness shine through.
But it’s not just about the taste. These mussels are a real celebration of local, sustainable seafood. Thomas and his family have been harvesting Brancaster mussels for generations, using methods that keep our waters healthy and thriving. So every time you dig into a bowl, you’re supporting local fishermen and doing your bit for the planet.
Mussels this good deserve a pint of something just as special – we recommend pairing them with one of our local ales or a crisp, chilled glass of white. Simple, local, and packed with flavour. That’s what we’re all about.
Jolly Pizzas – Stone-Baked Perfection
There’s something irresistible about a proper stone-baked pizza, and at The Jolly Sailors, we take ours seriously. Whether you're settling in with a pint in hand or grabbing a box to go, our pizzas are crispy, cheesy, and downright delicious.
From the classic Three Cheese Margherita, with its heavenly blend of Parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar, to the mighty Meaty Farmer, loaded with ham, pepperoni, and chorizo – there’s a slice of joy for everyone. Prefer something veggie? The Jolly Goat with its tangy goat cheese, onion marmalade, and olives is a game-changer. And for seafood lovers, the Prawn Zinger with prawns, anchovies, and a hint of chilli hits just the right note.
Stay for a pint and a pizza in our pub or beer garden, or take one with you to enjoy after a salty, sun-soaked day on the beach. And don’t forget the dips – garlic & herb, Sriracha mayo, or our Jolly house BBQ – because a good pizza deserves a good dunk!
Eat in or takeaway. Either way, it’s always a good idea. And don’t forget – Thursdays are extra tasty with our 2-for-1 pizzas! (except for public holidays)
Sunday Roasts – A Proper Pub Roast Done Right
Sundays are made for roast dinners, and at The Jolly Sailors, we’re dishing up the kind of roasts you dream about all week. Think tender meats, crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings puffed to perfection, and all the trimmings: roasted parsnips, carrots, and seasonal greens.
We keep it local and sustainable, with meat supplied by Swannington Farm to Fork, renowned for their high-welfare, flavour-packed produce. Whether you’re tucking into the Roast Top Side of Beef, the Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder (complete with crackling and apple sauce, of course), or the Roast Chicken Supreme, you’re in for a treat.
If you’re after a veggie option, our Veggie Roast delivers all the comfort without the meat. And for an extra hit of indulgence, don’t forget to add a side of oozy Cauliflower Cheese – because comfort food is what Sundays are all about!
So gather your crew, grab a pint, and let us do the hard work while you kick back and enjoy a cracking Sunday roast. Booking is highly recommended, but we always welcome walk-ins if we’ve got the space.
Brancaster Brewery – From Grain to Glass
Did you know we brew our own beers? Local brewer Mark Riches crafts Brancaster Brewery ales to our very own recipes, using the best regional ingredients, including Maris Otter barley from Branthill Farm, just up the road in Wells-next-the-Sea. Each pint is a celebration of Norfolk’s rich brewing heritage and local craftsmanship.
Keep an eye out for the pump clips featuring original artwork by local watercolour artist Ken Tidd – a nod to the beauty of our coastal surroundings. Fancy a taste? Pop in and try one of our rotating seasonal ales.
Brancaster Brewery is a small but mighty 5-barrel brewery, producing small batches of top-quality real ale. This village has brewing in its bones – records show it dates all the way back to Roman times! In fact, in 1797, the largest malthouse in the country was built here, just across the road from The Jolly Sailors, using bricks salvaged from the nearby Roman fort.
While the malthouse may be long gone, Brancaster Brewery keeps the tradition alive, pouring local history, passion, and the finest ingredients into every pint. So come on in, grab a glass, and taste a bit of Brancaster’s heritage. Cheers!
